Momathon Blog

Social Media Doodle App

Yesterday I mentioned a new app for doodle lovers. Doodle.ly for iPad is a sketchbook app that turns your iPad into a doodle canvas for sharing on Facebook and Twitter. You can see what Doodle.ly doodlers are creating here. If you like to doodle on paper, then this is a great app for you—and your kids. Check out my list of things I like about the app below. Plus I have some suggestions for ways get the most out of doodling using this app.

Developing Your Brand: Spending Time on Pinterest, Facebook and Google+

illustration by Chris Olson

When people started talking about being addicted to Pinterest, I knew this social media platform was quickly becoming more than a passing fad. For many of us pinners, spending time of Pinterest is like a shopping addiction without the guilt of a mounting credit card bill. That said, I have heard many pinners also refer to the phenomenon of a Pinterest hangover—unable to even remember what they did the last three to four hours after they crawl out of Pinterest. 

Facebook still appears to attract more valuable user time than both Google+ and Pinterest. But recently Pinterest passed Google+ in time spent per month on the platform. An Ad Age article today reports ComScore data shows that "the average Google+ user spends three minutes on the platform every month, compared to 405 minutes for Facebook users. The average time spent by each Pinterest user per month is 50 minutes."

Part of the attraction of social media is the ability for users to follow the pros who make the brands we love. For example, the savvy editors at Real Simple magazine have developed a growing following on Pinterest with boards like Problem-Solving Products and Daily Thoughts & Inspiration.

Use Instagram to Help Shelter Dogs Find Homes

Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs

If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest with a link to the animal shelter. If you can, please include a search-able hashtag with the breed of dog (eg., #lab or #dachshund) and then also add a hashtag with #adopt_dogs.

The adorable Chihuahua mix featured above is Benny. He is a happy little guy who deserves to have his very own fan club. He is neutered, up-to-date on his shots & micro chipped. Are you Benny's new cheerleader? You can find him at Pals Forever Animal Rescue with details about him here Benny: Petfinder Adoptable Dog.

Thank you for helping improve the lives of homeless dogs. xo Chris

Image of Benny me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Nashville Filter (#Nashville)

 

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Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks! 

You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:

Day 1: No Filter

Day 2: Amaro Filter

Day 3: Rise Filter

Day 4: Hudson Filter

Day 5: X-Pro II Filter

Day 6: Sierra Filter

Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter

Day 8: Earlybird Filter

Day 9: Sutro Filter

Day 10: Toaster Filter

Day 11: Brannan Filter

Day 12: Inkwell Filter

Day 13: Walden Filter

Day 14: Hefe Filter

Day 15: Valencia Filter

Day 16: Nashville Filter

Day 17: 1977 Filter

Day 18: Kelvin Filter

 

Research says texting, posting, and tweeting may make kids nicer

Our kids spend more time online texting, posting and tweeting than we will ever know. And I admit this worries me, but I may be over-reacting. Recent studies suggest time interacting online may help kids be more empathetic in real life and even strengthen bonds between friends. And studies suggest that shy kids may learn to be more outgoing and less anxious by spending time connecting with friends online.